Airlines in Philippines ask for govt support over coronavirus, say survival at stake

An association of airlines in the Philippines is requesting government help, saying they face a threat to their survival as the global push to contain the coronavirus spread hampers operations, the airlines said in a letter seen by Reuters.

The letter, dated March 25, was sent by a domestic airlines association that includes Cebu Air Inc, Philippine Airlines and the local unit of Malaysia's AirAsia Bhd as its members.

The airlines said they were not seeking handouts, but emergency credit lines and waiver of navigation and airport fees, due to the "catastrophic impact" of the coronavirus ; Editing by Martin Pettyon the aviation industry, and cited examples of other international carriers assisted by their governments.